The first rubber balloons were made by Professor Michael Faraday in 1824 for use in his experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institution in London.Faraday made his balloons by cutting round two sheets of rubber laid together and pressing the edges together. The tacky rubber welded automatically, and the inside of the balloon was rubbed with flour to prevent the opposing surfaces joining together.

a balloon moments .....

when was the first foil balloon made?

Silver metalised balloons were first developed for the New York City ballet in the late 1970s.

how are foil balloons made?

The concept and technology for the 'metalisation' of plastic sheeting that has given us foil balloons comes directly out of the NASA Space Mission. They are made of nylon sheet, coated on one side with polyethylene and metallised on the other. They are made with the sole purpose of withholding gas easier and longer than a latex balloon.

strange balloon fact

A 100-foot-diameter balloon can lift 33,000 pounds!

the hot air balloon joke!A hot-air balloonist, realising he is lost reduces height to ask directions from a man on the ground:
'Excuse me sir, can you tell me where I am?'
' Yes', says the man below. 'You're in a hot-air balloon hovering about 20 feet above this field.'
'You must work in Information Technology' says the balloonist.
'I do', replies the man. 'How did you know?'
' Well', says the balloonist, 'everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone.'
The man on the ground is peeved and retorts, 'You must work as a management consultant.'
'I do', replies the balloonist, 'but how did you know?'
'Well', says the man, 'you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault.'